Preface:
1 Laying the Foundation
Statement on main theme, justification - ungodliness and unrighteousness - God's wrath on Jews and Gentiles - every mouth stopped - the function of the Law
2 The Great Turning Point - 'But Now'
The only way of salvation - 'but now' in our experience and in history­ - analysis of verses 21-31 - the gospel of God - the Old Testament preparation
3 More Than Forgiveness
The vital historic event of Christ's coming - a positive righteousness - not by lawkeeping, but by faith - earned by Christ - the universal need
4 By Free Grace Alone
The centrality of justification - free grace - the ransom price and the slavery of sin - taught by Christ and the other apostles also
5 Propitiation
The essential doctrine of the atonement - the meaning of 'propitiation' ­modern translations and denials of this - 'wrath', the vital issue - deliverance provided by the offended party
6 The Blood of Jesus Christ
Another essential word - hated and misunderstood - true and false interpreta­tions - the sacrificial death - the substitute - the new covenant
7 The Vindication of God
The reconciliation of eternal love and eternal justice - remission and preter­mission - previous forbearance - sin actually seen to be punished - the cross declaring God's love and justice
8 Boasting Excluded
Necessity for argument, especially polemic - first deduction from the gospel ­boasting is excluded - faith not a work - Paul and James
9 Distinctions Abolished
Second deduction - no difference between Jews and Gentiles in the way of salvation - 'by' and 'through' - no compromise with other religions - the gospel the only basis of fellowship
10 The Law Established
Third deduction - meaning of 'law' - erroneous views rejected , seven ways in which the gospel, especially the cross, honours the law. Conclusion of Chapter three - reasons for modern rejection of this teaching
11 Abraham Justified – Faith
Objection concerning the case of Abraham - one covenant of grace in all ages - Abraham could not boast - exposition of Genesis 11:16 - meaning of 'faith' and 'impute'
12 Justifying the Ungodly
Grace and debt - justifying the ungodly - the robe of righteousness - David's experience in Psalm 32 - salvation entirely in God's hands - the acid test
13 Faith Only Two further objections answered - faith and circumcision - the seal of justifi­cation - faith and the law - law and promise - 'the seed'
14 Salvation Guaranteed – Omnipotent Grace
The nature of law is contrary to promise - grace and faith fit together - salva­tion for all the 'seed', whether Jews or Gentiles - salvation certain because it is by God's grace
15 The Nature of Faith
An illustration of faith - the elements of real faith, in every application - the achievements of Abraham's faith - strengthened by faith
16 Faith Glorifying God
Faith glorifies God in His being and attributes - weak faith is genuine faith - difference between knowledge and practice - faith and foolhardiness distinguished - the way to be strong in faith
17 Raised for our Justification
Abraham's faith applied to us - God-centred faith - the significance of Christ's resurrection - how the resurrection justifies - practical application of the com­parison with Abraham